Combined sofa seat and bed



A. LORENZ COMBINED SOFA SEAT AND BED Dec. 12, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 6, 1948 We affoz nqys.

Patented Dec. 12, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1-7 Claims.

This invention. relates to combination sofa-beds which may be converted fOr use selectively as either sofa seats or beds, as desired.

An object of the invention is to improve and simplify the construction and operation of sofabeds.

Another objectis to provide an improved sofabed which will be comfortable and properly proportioned as a sofa seat with slightly reclining back rest, which may beconverted by a simple manipulation into a regular bed ready for immediate use; which will remain inceither adjust ed position against unintentional displacement; which willhave the .seatata normal sofa level when converted or adjusted for use as a sofa and have the bed at the usual bed level when converted or adjusted for use asv a bed; which will require a minimumof effort to convert it for use as .a bed or sofa seat, and which willbe relatively simple, durable, compact, practical and inexpensive.

Other objects andadvantages will appear from the following descriptionof one embodiment of the invention and the novel features willbe particularly pointed outhereinafter in connection with the appended claims.

In the accompanyin drawing:

Fig. 1 is aplan of a device embodying the invention and converted for use as a sofa seat;

Fig.2 is a front elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation ofthe same,switha portion broken awa to show parts otherwise hidden;

Eigh 4 is an end elevation similar to Fig. .3, but withthe device inverted for use as a bed;

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of the same, the section being takenapproxilnately along the line 5. 5, Fig. 1; and;

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation similar to Fig. 5 but illustrating a modification in theconstruction.

Inthe illustrated embodiments of the inventionthe sofa bedi-ncludes a main frame formed of apairof spacedparallel side or end members 1 connected .bya rear cross member 2, and a frontcross rail 3 disposed beneath the seat at the front. The inside faces of the sideorend elements carry pivot bearings 4 'whichroclgably support alined bearing studsfi carried on opposite sides or ends of the-bed frame'B. Tlhe studs 5 are-located between the rear edge and the middle width of the bedframet and preferablya little nearer the middle point-than the rear edge. The frame 6 rocks between a generally upright, but slightly rearwardly tilted or reclining position 2 shown in Figs. 1 to 3, in which it serves as the back rest of a sofa seat, and a generally horizontal position in which it serves as a bed, as shown in Fig. 4.

The ends of the frame 6 are provided with fixed, forwardly extending arms or plates l, one at each end of the bed' fra me, and extending downwardly from studsli. These plates I extend forwardly from the frame 6 whenthe frames is upstanding and forwardly of the studs 5. Each plate "I is hinged by a pin 8 to the rear part of I theframe of a cushion seat 8, which is disposed between the plates '1 and forwardly of the frame 6. Arranged at each end of'the main frame, but adjacent the inside faces of the side or end elements i are two inclined rails iii, one at each end. T18 higher ends of the rails are "foremost and terminate at the cross element-3, and the upper or track surface H of each rail extends first forwardly as a horizontalpart l2 and then rearwardly and downwardly at an inclination of about 3 0,degrees. The horizontal part E2 of the track surface has an upwardly opening notch (13 immediately adjoining the start ofthe downwardly inclined portion l l. A link M is hinged by pin 15 to each plate 1, below the hinge pin 8 when the frame 6 is upstanding. E ach link [.4 extends forwardly, and at its front or free end it carries a laterally extending stud I t (Fig. 5) Each stud extends over the adjacent rail it and carries a broad roller I] .lwhioh rolls upon the track surface I! of the adjacent rail ii and drops into the notch it when it moves into a position above the openface of the notch. Each stud it also has another roller i8 which is disposed beyond the rail if}, and at one side thereof, and rollingly supports the bottom of the seat frame is of the seat 9. Thus, the seat is supported at each end partly by the hinge pins 8 and partly by resting upon thefroller partsiS. Since the roller parts is are supported by the inclined rails, the forward part of the seat is supported by the links it as the latter are guided up and down thetrack surfaces H.

The seat frame I 9 may have upwardly extending lugs 20 on which are provided the pivot studs or hinge pins 8. When the frame 6 is in its upstanding position, shown in Fig. 3, the links l4 will have their forward ends at the tops of the rails Ill and their rollers I! received in the notches 13. By proper positioning of the hinge pins Sand the notches IS, the seatmay be given any desired degree of rearward inclination as shown in Fig, 3. Arearwardlyand downwardly extending hook 'ZI (see Fig. 4) is provided on the under face of the forward part of the seat 9 at each end thereof, so as to depend from the seat frame 59 downwardly and rearwardly. When the seat is in its normal position shown in Fig. 3, each hook 2% will be slightly below the adjacent roller part I8, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. When one desires to disengage the rollers ll from the notches I3, one merely lifts the forward edge of the seat, and the hooks 25, which are moved vertically thereby, will lift the roller parts 18 and. thereby lift studs I5 and roller part I? above the notches I3, and then, when the upstanding frame 6 is pulled forwardly, that is, rocked counterclockwise (in Fig. 3) the seat will be pulled rearwardly and the rollers II will be pulled off the free ends of the hooks 2!, over and upon the inclined track surfaces H,

As the frame 5 continues its rocking movement toward the Fig. 4 position, the rollers I? will roll down the inclined track surfaces I I into the positions shown in Fig. 4. The rear of the seat will thus be lowered and pulled rearwardly by the pins 8, shown in Fig. 4, as the forward part of the seat is guided downwardlyand rearwardly to place the seat in the position shown in Fig. 4, in which the entire seat 9. is below the then horizontal frame 6. During this swinging movement of frame 6, a pin 22 at each end thereof, but ad-. jacent the lower edge thereof, will move upwardly and rearwardly and engage beneath and enter the notch of an inverted U-shapcd flange 23 provided on the inside faces of each end or side element I. This limits the rocking movement of the frame i3 beyond a horizontal position and before the under face of the frame 6 engages with the upper edge of the cross member 3 or rails IIJ.

Carried on and secured to the rear face of the frame 8 when it is upstanding, but on the upper face when the bed frame is horizontal, is a mattress 24. The sheets, blankets and other bedding may be provided on the mattress and confined thereon by straps, or a slip cover or spread, or in any other suitable manner, so that the bed may be made up while the frame 6 is horizontal, and will remain in made-up condition after the frame 8 has been swung rearwardly into its upstanding position shown in Fig. 3. The mattress 2t may rest upon and be confined to suitable springs provided within the frame 6, as usual in swinging beds, and when the frame 6 is upstanding, this bedding on the rear face thereof is largely concealed from casual observation. Preferably, a slip cover is provided over the bedding after the bed is made up so as to further conceal the appearance of the bedding and protect it from dust. The forward face of the upstanding frame 8, in the portion above the studs 5, is suitably upholstered by padding 25, as usual in the upstanding or back rests of upholstered chairs or sofas.

In the use of a sofa-bed constructed in this manner, let it be assumed that the frame 6 is upstanding and that the bedding on the rear face of the frame 6 is made up ready for occupancy and concealed by a suitable slip cover. The seat 8 will be firmly supported forwardly of the frame 5 and the end elements I, the seat 9 and the upholstery 25 on the forward face of the frame 6, comprise a sofa with its seat a at the normal sofa-seat level. At this time the rollers I! on. the forward ends of the links [4 are engaged in the notches It, and the seat and back of the sofa are rigid and held against movement. If now one desires to convert this unit into a bed, one merely lifts the forward edge of the seat 9 upwardly with one hand, and with the other hand pulls the upper edge of the frame 6 forwardly.

The lifting of the seat 9 lifts the rollers ll from the notches l3 and holds them elevated, so that as the frame 6 moves forwardly at its upper edge, the seat 9 will be moved downwardly and rearwardly, during which the rollers I? will be guided by the hooks 2| over upon the inclined track surfaces I I. The seat 9 is therefore guided downwardly and rearwardly beneath the horizontal frame 6, as shown in Fig. 4. One then merely removes the slip cover or spread and the bed is ready for use. The studs 5 are sufficiently near the rear edge of the frame 5, when that 7 frame is horizontal, so that one in using the bed will not be likely to shift the center of gravity of the bed and person together rearwardly of the stud 5. Thus, no matter where on the bed one may rest, the combined center of gravity of the person and bed will be forwardly of the studs 5, and the bed will remain in horizontal position without the necessity of locks to hold it horizontal. One may use locks if desired, but they are unnecessary when the studs 5 are sufficiently near the rear edge of the frame '6 when the latter is horizontal.

To convert this unit back into a sofa, one merely makes up the bed on the upper face of frame 5, reapplying a slip cover, or by other fastening means securing the bedding in position, and then the forward edge of the frame 6 is swung upwardly and rearwardly into the Fig. 3 position. During this movement the seat f} is guided upwardly and forwardly, and the rollers II reengage in the notches I3 to lock the frame 6 in its upstanding position and provide a firm support for the forward part of the seat 9.

It will be noted that when the frame 6 is upstanding, as shown in Fig. 3, the hinge pins 8 are disposed somewhat above a theoretical, flat plane which passes through the axes of the alined studs [6 of the forward ends of the links M and the axes of the alined studs 5 which rockably support the frame 5. Since the plates I are fixed to the frame 6 for movement therewith, the pins 8 which pivotally connect the plates 1 to the rear of the seat 9, can move circularly, counterclockwise in Fig. 3, to carry them and the rear part of the seat downwardly from the positions shown in Fig. 3 to those shown in Fig. 4 only when the studs I6 are released from the notches l3. When studs IE are within notches I3, they act through links [4 to anchor the pins 55 of plates I against rotation with plates I cOunter-clook wise in Fig. 3. Hence, by lifting the front part of the seat 9, the pins It will be lifted from notches I3, which allows plates I to rotate with frame 6 into the positions shown in Fig. 4. Thus lifting of the front part of the seat automatically releases both front and rear parts of the seat as well as frame 6 for movement into the Fig. 4 positions.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 6, the stud I6 extends from both faces of the link I4 and at one face of the link carries a roller 26 that rides on the rail l6, and at the other face of the link carries a special roller 21 that rollingly supports the lower edge of the frame IQ of the seat 9. The construction and operation are otherwise the same, as explained in connection with the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5.

It will be observed that with this combination sofa and bed, one may have a relatively wide bed with normal spring and mattress comfort,;a-nd with, its bad sur e. a t e no mal bed 1eve1,,as shown in'Fis. 4, and a so have a so a with its seat at the normal and most comfortable level when the unit is converted for use as a sofa. The conversion of this unit between bedand sofaseat is very simple, requiresaminimumof effort, and the framefiis. automatically held in its adjusted positions. The operation of the unit is so Simple and easy that even a relatively small child may quickly learn to convert the unit intoabedor sofa. A sofa-bed-of this type does not require placement against a wall, and since it is entirely self-contained, it may b shifted to anypart of the room, which facilitatescleaning beneathand behindit. The inclination of the track surface ,I I is made relatively small, so that the effort required to move the rollers IT! or -26 up and down the inclined track surfaces will be relatively small.

It will be understood that various changes in the details,;materials and arrangements of parts, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in theart withn the principle and scopeof the invention, as expressed in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A sofa-bed comprising a pair of side elements, means connecting said side elements to form a main frame, a bed frame pivoted to the rear part of said main frame on an axis extending in a direction between said side elements, located intermediate the longitudinal edges of the bed frame, and ,rookable onsaid axis between an upstanding sofa position and a bed position in whichit isgenerally horizontal with its rear face uppermost, ;,a seat hinged at its rear portion toisaid ,bed frame forwardly of said axis and the front face ofathe bed frame when thatframe is upstanding, track means inclinedndownwardly and rearwardly from adjacent the forward part ofsaid seat andhaving an upwardly opening notch in its surface adjacent its upper end, a link hinged at its rear end to said bed frame below and forwardly of said axis and below said hinged connection between said seat andbed frame,.and at its forwardend Carryinga roller riding on said. track means, said rollerentering said notch when said bed frame is upstanding, the forward part of said seat resting onand supportedby the forward end of said link, and riding up and down said track means .with said roller, as said bed frame is swung. on said axis between its 7 upstandin position and its horizontal bed-position.

2. A sofa-bed comprising a pair ofside elements, means connecting said side elements to form amain frame, a bed frame pivoted to the rear partof said main frame on an axis extendingin adirection between said sideelements, located intermediate the longitudinal edgesof the bed frame, and rockable on said, axis betweenan upstanding sofa position and a bed position in which it is generall horizontal with its rear face uppermost, a seat hingedat its-rear portion to said bedframe forwardly of said axis and the front face of the bed frame when that frame is upstanding, track means inclined downwardly and rearwardly from adjacent the forwardpart of said seat and having an upwardly opening notch in its surface adjacent its upper end, a linkhingedat its rear-end to said bed frame below and forwardly of said axis and below said hinged connection between said seat and bed frame, andat'its forward end carrying a roller ridingon said track means said,roller l avinga diameter less than the width of said-notch'and entering said notch when said bed frame ,is upstanding, ;the forwardpa-rt of said seat resting onand supported by the forward end of said link, and riding up and down said-track means with said roller, as said bed frame is swung on said axis between ,its'upstanding position and horizontal-bed position, said seat having a hook at;its forward end engaging beneath said-roller andlifting it from said'notch when the forward end of the seat is raised.

3. A sofa-bed comprising a pair of side elements, means connecting said side elements to form a main frame, a bed frame pivoted to the rear partof said main frame on an axis extendiIlg in a direction between said side elements, located between the longitudinal edges of the bed frame, and rockable on said axis between an upstanding sofa position and a-bed position .in which it is generally horizontal with its rear face uppermosta seat hinged at its rear portion to said bed frame forwardly of saidaxis and the front face of the bed frame when that frameis upstanding, track means inclined downwardly and rearwardly from adjacent the forward part of said seat,.a link hinged atits rearend tosaid bed frame below,and forwardlyof said axis and below said hinged connection between said seat and bed frame, and at its forward end carrying a rollerriding on .said track means, the forward end of said seat resting on and supported by the forward. end ofsaid link andridingup and-down said trackmeans with said roller ,as the bed frame is swung from upstanding sofa position forwardly and downwardl into horizontal bed position.

4. The sofa-bed substantially asset forth in claim 3, in which said hinged connection between the rear part of the seat and said .bed frame isabove; a theoretical line joining saidroller andsaid aXis,,toform a toggle'connection, when the bed frame is upstandingand thecrolleris at its forwardmostposition.

5. A combination sofa-bed comprisinga pair of side elements and connecting means forming a mainframe, abedframe pivoted tosaid main frame ,on an axis parallel to and between the longitudinaledges of the bed frame, for rocking action betweenanupstanding sofa position and ahorizontal bed position inwhichtthe top thereof becomes the rear face when upstandinga seat hinged at its rear to said bedframeforwardly of said axis when the bed frameis upstanding, track means on saidimain frame-extending fro-m a high leveladjacent the forwardpartof said seat rearwardly and downwardly to a low level, link means hinged at one end to said bed frame also-forwardly of and lower than saidaxis and below said seat hinge when the bed frame is upstanding, and at its forward end riding onsaid trackmeans at the high level thereof when thebed frameis upstanding, and at the low level whenthe bed frame is horizontal, the-seat hingebeing disposed above a theoretical line joining theiareaofcontact of the link means with said trackmeans-and said axis when the bed frame is upstanding and passing downwardly past said linewhen the bed frame is movedtowards bed position, the forward part of said seat being supportedby the forward end of saidlink means andriding down andup said trackmeans with said link means.

6. The sofa-bed substantially as set forth in claim 5, and roller means at the forwardiend. of the link means torideon said track means, said track means having an upwardly opening notch at its high level into which said roller means drops to hold said bed frame in its said upstanding position, and said seat having at its forward part a hook engaging beneath said roller means, when the forward part of the seat is lifted, to lift the roller means from said notch and release said bed frame for movement into bed position.

8. A sofa-bed comprising a main frame, a bed frame pivoted to said main frame on an axis between and parallel to the longitudinal edges of the bed frame, for rocking between an upstanding sofa position and a horizontal bed position, a rail adjacent each end of said main frame and each extending from a high level adjacent the forward edge of said main frame downwardly and rearwardly to a low level, a seat hinged adjacent its rear edge to said bed frame forwardly of said axis when the bed frame is upstanding, a link at each end of said seat hinged to said bed frame forwardly and lower than said axis and below said seat hinge when the bed frame is upstanding, and riding at its forward end on said rails at said high level when said bed frame is upstanding, said seat at its forward part supported by the forward parts of said links.

9. The sofa-bed substantially as set forth in claim 8,, said rails having upwardly opening notches at said high levels and said forward ends of said links having rollers riding on said rails and entering said notches when the bed frame is upstanding.

10. The sofa-bed substantially as set forth in claim 8, said rails having upwardly opening notches at said high levels and said forward ends of said links having rollers riding on said rails and entering said notches when the bed frame is upstanding, said links also having rollers at their forward parts on which said seat rides.

11. The sofa-bed substantially as set forth in claim 8, said rails having upwardly opening notches at said high levels and said forward ends of said links having rollers riding on said rails and entering said notches when the bed frame is upstanding, said seat having a lifter engaging beneath each roller that rides on a rail for lif ing that roller from its notch when the forward part of the seat is lifted, to release the bed frame for movement into said bed position.

12. The sofa-bed substantially as set forth in claim 8, said rails having upwardly opening notches at said high levels and said forward ends of said links having rollers riding on said rails and entering said notches when the bed frame is upstanding, the seat hinge being disposed above a theoretical plane joining the axes of said rollers and said axis of said bed frame, when the bed frame is upstanding, and descending through that plane when the bed frame is rocked from sofa position into bed position.

13. The sofa-bed substantially as set forth in claim 8, and said seat hinge being disposed above a theoretical plane containing said axis and the points of support for the forward ends of said links, when the bed frame is upstanding and descending therefrom through said plane when said bed frame is rocked from upstanding position into bed position.

14. A sofa-bed comprising a main frame, a bed frame pivoted thereto for rocking on a horizontal axis located between the longitudinal edges of the bed frame, plates extending forwardly from the ends of the bed frame, a seat hinged at its rear part to the forwardly projecting parts of said plates, a link at each end of said bed frame, each hinged at one end to said plate below said seat hinge and extending forwardly therefrom, a forwardly and upwardly inclined rail in a plane parallel to and adjacent each link, the free end of each link having a part riding on the adjacent rail, by which the forward ends of said links are supported and guided upwardly and downwardly as the bed frame is rocked on said axis, the forward ends of said links being beneath and supporting the forward part of said seat.

15. A sofa-bed comprising a main frame, a bed frame pivoted. thereto for rocking on a horizontal axis located between the longitudinal edges of the bed frame, plates extending forwardly from the ends of the bed frame, a seat hinged at its rear part to the forwardly projecting parts of said plates, a link at each end of said bed frame, each hinged at one end to said plate below said seat hinge and extending forwardly therefrom, forwardly and upwardly inclined rails at the ends of said bed frame beneath, and supporting the forward ends of said links and guiding them upwardly and downwardly as the bed fram is rocked on said axis, the forward ends of said links being beneath and supporting the forward part of said seat, the seat hinge being disposed above a plane containing said axis and the points of support between the forward ends of the links and said rails.

16. A sofa-bed comprising a main frame, a bed frame pivoted thereto for rocking on a horizontal axis located between the longitudinal edges of the bed frame that extend between the ends of the main frame, a seat articulately hinged at its rear part to said bed frame, forwardly of the horizontal axis when the bed frame is upstanding, link elements articulately connected to the bed frame below said axis and extending beneath the forward part of the seat, inclined tracks rising forwardly beneath the seat and forwardly of the bed frame when the latter is upstanding upon which the forward ends of said elements ride, and having upwardly opening depressions therein at their upper ends in which the forward ends of said elements engage when the bed frame is upstanding, and an interconnection between the forward part of the seat and the forward parts of said link elements for liftthe elements when the forward part of the seat is lifted to disengage the elements from said depressions, and releasing the elements for movement down said tracks when the bed frame is rocked in a direction to lower the rear part of said seat and pull said elements rearwardly.

17. A sofa bed comprising a main frame, a bed frame hinged thereto for rocking about a horizontal axis between an upstanding position and an approximately horizontal position, a seat disposed forwardly of the bed frame when the latter is upstanding and articulately hinged at its rear part to said bed frame forwardly of said axis when the bed frame is upstanding, inclined track means descending rearwardly from beneath the front part of said seat, means acting between the front part of said seat and said track means for supporting the seat at its forward part and guiding it down and then up as the bed frame is rocked forwardly at its upper end into its hori- 9 zontal position and baokwardly respectively, and REFERENCES CITED an interconnection between said track means and The following references are of record m the said supporting means for releasably holding the file of this patent; bed frame in its upstanding position and releasable by lifting said supporting means, said for- 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS ward part of said sea-t having a depending and Number Name Date rearwardly opening hook engaging beneath said 393,708 Koch Nov. 27, 1888 supporting means for fitting it and releasing it 444,529 Cody Jan. 13, 1891 from said track means when the forward part 507,576 Zislsperger Oct. 31, 1893 of the seat is lifted. 10 896,277 De Witt Aug. 18, 1908 ANTON LORENZ. 1,014,535 Sweeney Jan. 9, 1912 

